NHL/LNH : thank God for RDS, and TSN.

According to « Team Marketing Report », a Habs game at the Bell Centre for four people, including such perks as beer, soda drinks, hot dogs, two caps and more, will cost the family budget -if it is a family- 388,24 $US.

The figure is up 5,1% from last year and the second highest in the NHL behind the 476,02 US$ the same outing would cost in Toronto for a Maple Leafs game.

This is no small amount, but is the figure accurate ? According to the magazine, a beer at the Bell centre will set you back 5,90$ (US or Canadian ?), the real price would be 8,34$ (US or Canadian).

Besides, if the 388,24 $US figure shows a 5,1% increase from last year, it would mean the actual cost in Canadian dollars has dramatically decreased considering the Loonie has appreciated by more than 20% versus the US dollar since January 1, 2007 : obviously such was not the case, as the tickets prices increased in local currency.

The actual figure could therefore be even higher.

How can the Canadiens afford to charge such insane prices without creating a riot ?

Obviously, because enough « amateurs » can afford them. But who are they ? Hard core fans or corporate Québec or affluent happy few ?

How many season tickets are paid for by companies rather than individuals ?

How many people attend the Canadiens Games, because it is the place to be seen, and supposedly the best entertainment in town, as they would attend Broadway musicals -and certainly not Rangers Games- if they lived in New York ?

More importantly, how can hard core fans without the means to hand out such sums to watch their favourite team accept to be driven out of the arena without a remake of the Forum riot ?

Call it the RDS, or RDS/TSN miracle. For the Canadien bank account, it is a miracle which strikes twice : first, the sale of TV rights land the organisation a small yearly fortune ; second, by actually moving the affordable seats from the arena to private living rooms, RDS and TSN allow the club to inflate ticket and concessions prices without fully alienating its social basis : RDS and TSN cater to the club’s poor by « offering » them the games, at a fraction of the arena price, with beer and hot dogs at supermarket’s prices, in the language of their choice and now high definition.

The Centre Bell crowd is supposed to be boisterous and hyper critical. Is it really ? Maybe not, but this white collar public knows it is supposed to behave like a blue collar one, and plays its part as well and sometimes stupidly -Briére’s Montréal welcome- as the media have instructed him to. It cheers and boos, like it would -and may be does- offer a standing ovation at the end of a MSO concert, because it is the proper thing to do.

In Spain, the « socios » of soccer clubs are not just season ticket holders, they own a stake in their club and have collectively a say in its management, can oust a president and elect a new one.

In other European countries, even if the fans are not « socios », organised supporters groups often yield major political and financial power vis-à-vis the management, coach and players.

Under the new convention between the team owners and the players, the NHL is supposed to be run as a partnership between these two parties.

The partnership clearly is not meant to extend to the fans. In fact, it looks as though it is the only area where the partnership truly works : team owners and players are quick to agree on the back -or the wallet- of those providing for their globally rather high living.

« Let them eat cake » is out, but « let them watch RDS/TSN » is in. (P.M.)